Cultivating Disciples to Breakthrough

”... And with the rules officially established, we will begin the first part of the competition. Go ahead and choose the materials needed among those presented. Of course, there is not enough of everything for everyone, so be fast in case there is some specific spiritual herbs or spiritual metals that you want to use.”

As Elder Song finished his introduction of the competition and explanation of the rules, he quietly retreated to the side while watching the around two hundred people participating in the competition rushing forward towards the tables where the different spiritual herbs and spiritual metals were located. Each of them eager to get their hands on the spiritual metal or spiritual herbs that they needed for the artifact or alchemical potion that they wanted to refine-

”Ah! I wanted that Yellow Spring Root!”

”Nooo-! My Black Rot Metal!”

”Ahhh… No Spirit Spring Grass left… I’m doomed…”

Unfortunately, not everyone managed to get the specific spiritual herbs they were aiming for and could only helplessly try and settle on something different instead. Only the few Domain Lord Realm cultivators participating managed to seize the spiritual herbs or metals that they wanted without much of a struggle, though… There were a few who ended up similarly disappointed when failing to get one of the rarer spiritual herbs present in the pile that the Star Shattering Sect had made available for the competition.

Most importantly of all, Elder Song clearly noticed that the transcendent grade spiritual herbs and metals that had been mixed in among the rather common spiritual herbs had managed to survive the onslaught so far. None of the Domain Lord Realm cultivators or other participants have noticed them yet.

”Hm? This looks to be an interesting color… Maybe I can try using this one to enhance the beauty of my artifact?”

However, this did not last for long, as one of the slower ones among the participants soon found one of the transcendent grade spiritual metals and casually chose it due to its rather unique color compared to the rest of the spiritual metals present.

”…”

Seeing this, Elder Song could not help showing a somewhat painful expression on his face that he quickly hid. Doing his best to stop himself from running up and taking the transcendent grade spiritual metal way from the contestant who had just happened to pick it up. Especially so after hearing that the other party was only intending to use it due to its unique color. Not because he had realized that it was a transcendent grade spiritual metal.

Even Xuan Hao, who had been observing the competition with a somewhat uncaring attitude through his divine sense so far, had a similar reaction upon noticing the transcendent spiritual metal being taken away by one of the participants.

However, when compared to Elder Song, who had a brief change in expression, he remained completely calm on the outside. Only opening his eyes for a brief moment to glance in the direction of the disciple with the transcendent grade spiritual metal.

”That is… Rock Fall Rainbow Crystal Metal!? I didn’t expect something like that to appear at this competition…”

”Same, it even managed to garner the attention of that senior elder along with a surprised look from the one in charge of holding the competition!

”Rock Fall Rainbow Crystal Metal? Such a long name… Is it really that impressive…?”

”Impressive!? Kid, that’s a genuine piece of transcendent grade spiritual metal! Not just that, but also of higher quality than the normal transcendent grade spiritual metals used in crafting things for Soul Ascension Realm cultivators. Possibly even being high quality transcendent grade spiritual metal capable of crafting artifacts for those above the Soul Ascension Realm!”

”Wha-!? Something that precious!? In this kind of competition?! Are they crazy!?”

”I don’t know, they must have a reason for doing something like this…”

As a few of the more experienced observers among the audience noticed the transcendent grade spiritual metal being caried by one of the contestants, it didn’t take long before word of it started spreading among all the audience members…

Using transcendent grade spiritual metal of this quality in a simple competition… Indeed, it fits with the normal operations of those ancient hidden sects. Wanting to try and find a hidden gem capable of identifying the transcendent grade spiritual herbs or metals. Showing their affinity for the profession in the process.

Hm? Is this perhaps why the competition platform was sealed off from the rest of the competition when the event started? Indeed… Without a soundproofing barrier in place, this kind of method would be rather useless, as those who already chose their spiritual metals and spiritual herbs would almost certainly rush back to the piles of plants and metals after realizing that they might be able to find transcendent grade metals in there.

Even though getting their hands of transcendent grade material didn’t directly allow them to win the competition or place in the top 10, it would be extremely useful for all of the blacksmiths and alchemists present, as using such high-quality materials gave them an opportunity to attempt something beyond their current level. Giving them a chance to possibly increase their rank as blacksmith or alchemist through this opportunity.

No matter whether they succeeded in this round of the competition or not, they would still get something out of it no matter what, a guaranteed price so to speak.

At the same time that everyone was excitedly chatting with each other about the appearance of such high-quality spiritual metal among the resources available to the competitors, an average-looking person seated in one of the countless seats located around the competition ground could not help frowning to himself as he thought about this while gazing deeply at the multicolored rock being carried by one of the competitors.

This person was none other than the spy that had been sent over by the Blue Sea Empire to observe today’s competition and try to gauge the strength of the Star Shattering Sect!

Although his cultivation was only around the Later Stage of the Core Formation Realm, he had been specifically trained for missions like this one where the Blue Sea Empire wanted to avoid any complications by sending in someone with relatively weak cultivation to avoid suspicious that would come with anyone stronger showing up.

To do his job properly, he even knew about things that would normally only be known to the elders of the Blue Sea Empire.

Of course, to prevent any possible leakage of this kind of sensitive information, his soul had already been covered in countless restrictions that was impossible for even someone in the Celestial Immortal Realm to undo. Killing him the moment he even as much as thought about betraying the Blue Sea Empire.

It was also because of this skillful infiltration and natural ability to blend in with his surroundings, that even Xuan Hao, at the Late Stage of the Dao Domain Lord Realm, didn’t notice anything unusual about him when he scanned the crowd of people who had come to observe the competition earlier. At this point even believing that no one from the Blue Sea Empire had shown up to observe the competition…

Luckily for Xuan Hao, this didn’t end up causing any complications, as the other party was similarly convinced that the Star Shattering Sect was an ancient hidden sect from what he had seen so far.

Not so much because of Xuan Hao’s earlier display of strength, as he had no real way to measure it with his current cultivation realm and taking out an artifact to directly try and read his strength with it, would almost certainly result in the other party noticing him.

Instead, it was the display of resources that the Star Shattering Sect had done so far during the competition, as his experienced eye soon noticed another spiritual metal of the Transcendent Grade and three similar spiritual herbs hidden among the piles from where he was sitting. Not one of them being of lower quality, but instead all being of higher quality that would normally be used in artifacts or potions for those at the Earth Immortal Realm (Dao Seed Realm).

Displaying so many transcendent grade herbs and metals was simply not something that would be possible if the Star Shattering Sect was weak, they had to have a stable supply of these kinds of high-quality spiritual herbs and metals, something that could only be archived through monopolizing certain special locations in the core region or through well-developed secret realms.

Both of which were unachievable by anyone other than major powers like the Blue Sea Empire and hidden ancient sects.

I have to report this immediately and ensure that the relationship with the Blue Sea Empire is kept neutral before we can get a better understanding of their true capabilities.

Coming to a conclusion as he thought about this to himself, the spy from the Blue Sea Empire continued to excitedly focus on the competition that was finally starting to get exciting below, while secretly focusing most of his attention on formulating the report he was planning to submit when everything was over.